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(Now Closed)Japanese Restaurant and Asian Restaurant$$$$
East Village, New York
The experts at Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
103 Tips and reviews
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Kiwi WangOctober 29, 2017Incredible experience! Sat at counter, amazing to see all the ingredients and fun. Uni and seafood dishes lived up to all the hype and meats were delicious as well. Yellowtail app was one of our faves
Chophel NamgyalNovember 11, 2017Sit at the counter and enjoy the authentic experience. We got the Omakase- excellent! Added some Uni choices- which was great! Prefer the Wagyu rather than the full grilled fish.
Collette SNovember 17, 2015The sake is amaze. Sit at the counter and get Robatayaki: Zucchini, Satsumaimo (pumpkin), Fillet Steak, and Mune (chicken breast). And the dressing for the Green Salad is SO GOOD!
Ms HeleneJanuary 2, 2017Uni sashimi $20 for 4 pieces, whole grilled seasonal fish $30, crab and seaweed appetizer were all super fresh. Book ahead esp if you want omakase.
DinaApril 24, 2014A great japanese izakaya, bustling bar in front, quieter area with tables in back. Try dry stingray fins, a fantastic beer snack. Snow crab dumplings are delicious as is salmon kamameshi (rice).
CharleneAugust 31, 2013Grab a table in the sky-lit back room. Lunch on Saturdays/Sundays offers grilled fishes as well as the uni ikura don. There is an appetizer bar with tsukemono, ohitashi, simmered root vegetables, etc.
CarolineJanuary 21, 2016Come here and watch your meal be cooked right in front of you. The fresh fish and vegetables are handpicked and cooked to perfection. So amazing.
The Corcoran GroupMarch 23, 2012Join in the festivities and grab a place a the bar, you’ll be immensely entertained. Get either the tasting menu or the omakase…pray they serve you the filet of cod.
Jessey White-CinisMay 22, 2015One of my favorite restaurants in NYC. Sit at the bar, order a nice saké and eat until you're full. Okra, mushrooms, grilled fish and crab are all a must.
Karolina ChruscielAugust 20, 2017Get some sake, sit at the counter and enjoy one of the best places and experience ever!
Christina WDecember 31, 2014Used to be my favorite place for great, authentic Japanese food at a great value, but since they changed owners the prices skyrocketed & the varied menu options disappeared. Hoping they bring it back!
Stay away from meats here - fish and vegetables are the highlights. Sit by the front bar for the full experience. Miso Cod is outstanding, and finish your meal with one of the Kamameshi bowls
One of the best date places in NYC. You want to make sure to get seated around the communal table so you can watch the chefs in action. Get the crab rice, it takes 30 min but it's worth it.
Christina C.December 3, 2012The filet of cod was cooked to perfection. It was delicious. The grilled Japanese yam & shiitake were wonderful. The crab dumplings in soup & the earthenware pot were great too.
Kamameshi takes a half hour but it's worth the wait. Get all the grilled stuff you think you can eat and double down on a whole fish option if you think you're full
Ellie DMarch 11, 2013One of my most happily spent $20-range lunches in NY. Robataya's uni/ikura don with unlimited pickles and veggies + miso soup made me indescribably happy and full.
Dina RughaniMarch 16, 2016Miso cod, chicken meatball, asparago, tofu salad, market fish, pork belly. Get a seat at the bar.
Kelsey LJanuary 5, 2013Although a bit pricier than other Japanese restaurants, with the generous portions, complimentary vegetable appetizers, amazing service, and cute decor, this is a must try!
BettyJanuary 15, 2014The grilled portabello mushrooms was a trip! Impressively simple and flavorful. Definitely trying more grilled veggies and seafood in our next visit!
RCMay 20, 2015A really fun and delicious experience! Go early because they keep a limited number of fresh ingredients on hand.
CherylAugust 26, 2014Cute date spot with impeccable service. Try all the freshly grilled seafood and vegetables and watch them make it. Skip the rice pots.
Lisa Conde FondeurOctober 29, 2010A bite of food has yet to pass my lips, and this is already one of my favorite places in the world simply because of the toilet. It is like something Oprah or Martha Stewart would have. Water jets.
Kt LacasseJanuary 18, 2015Absolutely wonderful. The lobster cooked on the grill is fantastic. They serve you on long wooden paddles. Very authentic Japanese
Sue LeeJune 8, 2015Hands down my favorite restaurant in the city- for the food and the ambiance. I loved it even more when it hadn't been bought out by Ootoya though.- Joe DApril 6, 2013Get a bit of sashimi, but make sure to tear through the rest of the menu (which is nothing short of heavenly). If you walk out thinking it's a sushi restaurant, you ordered wrong.
- RCMay 20, 2015A really fun and delicious experience! Get there early because they only keep a limited number of fresh ingredient on hand.
Claudia NewmanAugust 19, 2013Most beautiful Japanese restaurant. Freshest food. Cooked before your very eyes. Amazing
Vivian ChenApril 11, 2012Get the cod, chicken meatballs, grilled mushrooms and pinenuts wrapped asparagus! Also loved the yuzu and plum sake!!! Omg, soooo gooooood!
hitgirlNovember 9, 2014For bdays, they'll sing you a song and serve your bday dessert on a paddle if you sit on the counter. Really fun experience
AnnaNovember 29, 2014The salmon kamameshi is amazing!!! And the vibe is great. But the drinks are way overpriced and not filled to the top!
Lauren FNovember 9, 2015Love this spot! Experience is always super fun at the counter. Food is okay, ambiance is on fleek.
Joshua PolierJanuary 22, 2013Get the asparagus wrapped in fishcake and pine nuts. I know it sounds crazy strange and I don't even like fishcake but it's FREEKEN AWESOME.
Alejandro HoyoFebruary 5, 2014If the food were half as good/original as the theme, concept and decor, it would be really something. As it is, the stage is set for a play that does not deliver.
Serious EatsApril 20, 2013Fun and rowdy Japanese restaurant specializing in grilled items and seafood.
Danielle WashingtonAugust 7, 2011Sitting at the bar is a must and get the tasting menu. Beef not so great but everything else is some of the best Japanese I've had.
Tommy GonzalezMay 22, 2012The food is great! The experience is amazing!! You will enjoy everything you order. Sit in the front.
XuanAugust 26, 2013Amazing restaurant, especially at the main table. All the mushrooms are really good.
Mike O'DeaJanuary 14, 2014The NYC sister of the Roppongi original. Similar lay out, way more seating. Stick with vegetables from the grill, meat/fish are tiny portions and $$$
Josephine SonDecember 22, 2011You must sit at the counter for a great show! Everything is great, esp the salmon rice and the grilled meats!
Official smart USAMay 20, 2013If you want to go to Japan, then buy a plane ticket. If you can’t, then go to Robataya. It’ll take your taste buds to the Far East without having to leave Manhattan.
Helen HuangFebruary 15, 2014Make a reservation and ask to sit at the counter/bar. You won't be disappointed!
Chez OngDecember 11, 2013Sitting at the counter is a must but their best kept secret is their fried chicken.
Jonathan MoroDecember 18, 2016Super authentic, meaning high quality and small portions. Hence why Japanese people are so skinny.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleAugust 16, 2011You’ll miss all the action if you ask for a table in the dining room. Request a seat at the counter. - Inspector
430 Photos
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Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- Noon–2:45 PM
- 6:00 PM–10:45 PM
(212) 979-9674
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express & MasterCard)
Outdoor Seating
No
Parking
Yes
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Dinner
Drinks
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